Michael Sheen, who played Tony Blair in The Queen, got the chance to meet the monarch in real life this week as he accepted an OBE from her at Buckingham Palace.

"This is a huge honour," said the Port Talbot-born actor, who was awarded the title in the new Year's honours list. "I am both thrilled and slightly mystified. But very grateful."

Michael, who was joined at the ceremony by Lily - his nine-year old daughter from his relationship with Kate Beckinsale - said the Queen had asked him what he was doing next.

"I was in the slightly tricky situation of saying, 'I'm playing the prime minister again in a film about Tony Blair and Bill Clinton'," revealed the 40-year-old star. "And she said, 'That must be a terribly difficult thing to do'."

Also picking up an OBE was Olympic double gold medallist Rebecca Adlington. Wearing a pair of her beloved Jimmy Choo heels, the swimming champ was above the British monarch's eye level as she accepted her medal – even though the 83-year-old monarch was a step above her.

Rebecca said receiving the award capped off the best year of her life. "Getting the honour is up there with the gold medals - it's one of the best things you're ever going to get in your life."

"It's just unbelievable, I was looking around the room and talking to people beforehand who have done fantastic things and I'm only 20. What am I doing here? I'm just a swimmer."